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India's Top Court Orders Government to Review Kashmir Internet Ban

Anjana Pasricha

   NEW DELHI - Ruling that indefinite shutdowns of the internet violate
   the country's laws, India's top court has ordered the government to
   review the five-month-long internet suspension and other curbs imposed
   in Indian Kashmir, after the government scrapped autonomy in its only
   Muslim-majority region.

   "Freedom of internet access is a fundamental right," the Indian Supreme
   Court said Friday, ruling on petitions that had challenged restrictions
   imposed in the Himalayan region in August.

   Kashmir's internet shutdown is the longest-ever in a democracy and has
   disrupted life in the region of seven million people, crippling many
   businesses and making it difficult for the media to function. India's
   government said the shutdown is necessary to prevent an outbreak of
   violence and maintain calm.

   While most phone services have been restored, most of Kashmir still
   remains offline.

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